King Isaac celebrates women in ‘Chimhandara’
KING Isaac, a Zimbabwean-born reggae/ Afro-jazz singer who is based in the United States, has released “Chimhandara”, a song that celebrates the important role women play in building strong family relationships.
Born Isaac Gabriel Kalumbu in Harare’s high-density suburb of Mufakose, King Isaac, who is a songwriter and professor of ethnomusicology, released an accompanying video.
Apart from promoting family values, “Chimhandara” redefines the meaning of true love and encourages families to make maximum use of the joys of life.
King Isaac, who has in the past been a nominee for a Grammy Award, explained the meaning of the song.
“In a world in which the meaning and seriousness of love is constantly being diluted, ‘Chimhandara’ redefines what truly meaningful love that lasts is all about. The song celebrates the contributions and sacrifices of women who have remained committed to their families and marriages,” King Isaac said.
The song encourages men to play their part by living up to their marriage vows and by deeply appreciating and valuing the true blessings that their wives and children are.
A brilliantly done celebratory and upbeat masterpiece, “Chimhandara” is available on all major streaming sites.
The song is sung both in Shona and English, making it easy to understand for many.
King Isaac was the first Zimbabwean artiste to be nominated for the Grammy Award for
Best Reggae Album in 2010.
He was nominated for his album “Isaacs Meets Isaac” — a collaboration he did with the late Gregory Isaacs.
He was inspired by reggae stars such as Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Gregory Isaacs and Dennis Brown, who all visited Zimbabwe at some point.
Back home, the musician has worked with talented artistes that include Clive Mono Mukundu, one of Zimdancehall pioneers, Potato, and Dereck Mpofu.
The gifted musician has several albums under his belt, among them “King Isaac”, “Munokokwa Mese”, “Legends of Reggae presents King Isaac”, “Let Her Go” and “Makuwerere”.
He says he has several other projects that he is working on that will be released soon.
An outreach director for the African Studies Centre at Michigan State University, King Isaac uses his skills as an ethnomusicologist to produce easy-to-follow, but thought-provoking songs.